News
Abuja Mega Lions Club to rehabilitate 1,000 mental cases
Abuja Mega Lions Club to rehabilitate 1,000 mental cases
The International Association of Lions Club, Abuja Mega Lions, District 404 A2, Nigeria said on Sunday that it would treat over 1000 mentally ill persons and transform more lives in Nigeria.
The club’s immediate past president, Mrs Anthonia Opusunju, said this at Fund Raising and investiture of Mr Samuel Egbuchiri, as the new club president and installation of new Board of Directors of the Club, at Abuja.
Opusunju, who was the pioneer president of the club, said the primary objective of the club was to bring succour to the needy, those with health challenges, and the uneducated in the country.
Opusunju said part of efforts to achieve these objectives was construction of projects in some parts of the country, medical outreaches and providing humanitarian services.
The outgoing president enumerated some achievements of the club during her tenure to include the renovation and furnishing of the Child/Adolescent Mental Building at Karu General Hospital, Abuja.
She said after the renovation and following the request of the Chief Psychiatric Consultant and the Medical Director of the hospital, the club engaged four medical personnel including two medical doctors.
She said that since the hospital started operation in May 2022, no fewer than 400 children with mental issues were treated.
She said the facility had also handled suicidal and drug addiction cases and expressed confidence that her successor would continue in the third phase of the project.
Opusunju said that the club also donated eyeglasses to about 200 beneficiaries in Opobo, and constructed Jetty Waiting hall in Epellema Town, Opobo Kingdom in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers state.
“The club has carried out free diabetes screening and testing at Karamajiji Colony of Disabled Persons, Abuja supported by the Lions Club International Foundation in 2021.
“We carried out campaign on drug abuse and addiction and sensitised youths, women, and children at the internally Displaced Persons Camp, Area 1, Abuja where over 200 families were fed.
“The club equally distributed relief food items to over 150 families of the Colony of Disabled Persons at Kalamajiji, Abuja,” she said.
In his acceptance speech, the new president, Egbuchiri promised to leverage on the existing achievements, especially the mental health facility at Karu General Hospital.
He said that already the club had treated 13 mentally ill patients while the target of his administration was to treat 1000 patients in the next eight months.
“A lot of Nigerian youths are on the streets with one form of challenge or the other. There is need to save them from destruction and return them to their God ordained destiny.
“We are doing all this not in expectation of rewards but to derive joy in the sense that smiles are being put back to the faces of the less privileged across Nigeria,” he said.
Egbuchiri, who said projects proposed by his administration for the needy would gulp N27 million, and expressed hope to get support from partners and donor agencies.
Earlier, the chairperson, investiture and fundraising committee and the club’s First Vice President, Folasade Olaifa, said the event was to inaugurate Ebguchiri as the club’s president for 2022/2023.
“Today’s event doubles as fundraising ceremony for the completion and furnishing of Child and Adolescent Mental Ward, Karu General Hospital, which hinges on the progressive development, in the persistent ‘Lionistic Spirit’ of continuity and excellence.
“We are grateful that this signature project is touching the lives of the young and vulnerable members of the society,” Olaifa said.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Isa Abubakar, who was represented by Mr Soji Olaitan, the Chairman of CMS Grammar School Old Boys Association, Bariga Lagos, commended the club for the good work it is doing.
He also commended the outgoing president for her numerous achievements and wished the incoming president a successful tenure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the clinking of the bell signaling the investiture of the new president and cutting off the investiture cake.
Abuja Mega Lions Club to rehabilitate 1,000 mental cases
NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias
By: Michael Mike
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu has called on stakeholders to reflect on the values that Nelson Mandela embodied, including justice, dignity, equality, and compassion, as the world commemorates World Mandela Day.
Dr. Ojukwu made this call in a statement on the eve of the commemoration, noting that Mandela’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the need to promote and protect human rights, particularly in Nigeria’s correctional centers.
According to him, the current state of Nigeria’s correctional centres, which are overcrowded, under-resourced, and lack basic sanitation and healthcare, reflects a failure of infrastructure, justice, and humanity.
He lamented that thousands of citizens are held in pre-trial detention for years due to poverty and lack of access to justice, while the rich have greater access to quality legal defense and bail, perpetuating systemic bias.
The NHRC Executive Secretary urged the Nigerian government, judicial authorities, private sector, and civil society to prioritize comprehensive reforms in detention facilities and correctional centers, including improving conditions, investing in alternatives to pre-trial detention, ensuring speedy trials, and upholding the rights of inmates.
Ojukwu emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of incarceration, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to justice, in order to build a society that values the dignity and human rights of all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status.
Nelson Mandela Day is celebrated annually on the 18th of July.
NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias
Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery
By: Michael Mike
The Ondo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Backbone Infrastructure Limited for the establishment of a 500,000 barrels per day oil refinery and development of free trade zone in Igbotiri, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
The signing ceremony took place at the Governor’s office in Akure.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti represented the Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa at the ceremony.
He described the proposed investment as timely and strategic, assuring the investors of a peaceful and business-friendly environment.
He emphasized that the project would boost the state’s economy, create meaningful job opportunities, and reduce crime.
In his remarks on behalf of Backbone Infrastructure, the Vice President, Legal & Corporate services, Barrister Wale Adekola expressed appreciation to the Ondo State Government for the opportunity to partner in the infrastructure development of the State and assured of his company’s commitment to ensure successful delivery of the two projects.
Similarly, the Managing Director / Chief Executive of Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Engr. Henry Owonka, revealed that the two projects would be accompanied by basic infrastructure such as roads, terminal storage tanks, and other facilities that will change the landscape of the State.
According to the MOU breakdown on the Refinery, Backbone Infrastructure Limited will hold 65% equity, while the Ondo State Government will hold 20% and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) will hold 15% stake.
Meanwhile, the investors have expressed confidence in the leadership and vision of the Aiyedatiwa-led administration, citing the clarity of purpose and support they have received as the reason for choosing Ondo State as their investment destination.
The state government equally pledged its support for the project, which is expected to transform the state’s economy and create jobs.
Present at the signing of the MOU were the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti. Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN , the ONDIPA Team while the Backbone team was led by Dr. Steve Dike, a member of the Board of Directors representing the Chairman, Senator Ken Nnamani, Managing Director/CEO Engr. Henry Owonka, the Vice President, Legal & Corporate Services, other members of the management team from the Backbone infrastructure limited among other top government functionaries.
Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery
News
Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition
Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) have arrested two notorious arms traffickers and recovered a cache of deadly weapons in Abinsi town, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sources from the Benue State Police Command confirmed the development Thursday, describing the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms fueling insecurity in the North-Central region.
According to the sources, the suspects led by one Adikwu Ikwulono, a known illegal arms dealer were apprehended on Wednesday following credible intelligence.
Recovered from the suspects were one rocket launcher, five AK-47 rifles, and thousands of rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Police say preliminary investigations revealed that the arms were being assembled for delivery to a gang of armed herders and bandits operating around the Benue–Nasarawa border, with plans to launch coordinated attacks on several communities in Benue State.
“The suspects are currently undergoing intensive interrogation with the FID, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the arms-smuggling syndicate,” the police sources said.
Police arrest notorious gunrunners in Benue, recover rocket launcher, AK-47 rifles, thousands of ammunition
NHRC Calls for Reforms in Correctional Centres, Cites Systemic Bias
Ondo State Government Signs MOU with Backbone Infrastructure for 500,000 BPD Oil Refinery
Troops intensify operations against terrorists in North East, arrest logistics suppliers, recover weapons
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics1 month ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
